System and Method for Implementing Combined Broadband and Wireless Self-Organizing Network (SON)

ABSTRACT

Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. In some embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one or more first sensors and one or more second sensors, first operational states of fixed broadband network nodes and second operational states of wireless network nodes, respectively. The computing system might analyze the received first and second operational states, might determine an optimal network pathway and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway, and might establish the optimal network pathway and/or the optimal network backhaul pathway, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, thereby implementing the combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/675,936 (the “'936 application”), filed Aug. 14, 2017 by ThomasSchwengler et al. (attorney docket no. 020370-031500US), entitled,“System and Method for Implementing Combined Broadband and WirelessSelf-Organizing Network (SON),” which claims priority to U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/425,946 (the “'946 application”), filed Nov. 23,2016 by Thomas Schwengler et al. (attorney docket no. 020370-031501US),entitled, “Combined Broadband and Wireless SON,” the disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

This application may be related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/389,753 (the “'753 application”), filed on Dec. 23, 2016 by CharlesI. Cook (attorney docket number 020370-029500US), entitled, “Internet ofThings (IOT) Self-organizing Network,” the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Thisapplication may also be related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/393,532 (the “'532 application”), filed on Dec. 29, 2016 by MichaelL. Elford et al. (attorney docket number 020370-030500US), entitled,“Distributed Broadband Wireless Implementation in Premises ElectricalDevices,” which claims priority to U.S. Patent App. No. 62/384,014 (the“'014 application”), filed on Sep. 6, 2016 by Michael L. Elford et al.(attorney docket number 020370-030501US), entitled, “DistributedBroadband Wireless Around Home Electrical Devices,” the disclosure ofeach of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety forall purposes.

The respective disclosures of these applications/patents (which thisdocument refers to collectively as the “Related Applications”) areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to methods, systems,apparatus, and computer software for implementing network infrastructurefor provisioning of services, and, in particular embodiments, tomethods, systems, apparatus, and computer software for implementingcombined broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) forprovisioning of services.

BACKGROUND

In conventional networks, self-organizing network (“SON”) features mightexist in major mobile networks, such as LTE networks or the like.However, no SON optimization exists that combines a fixed broadbandnetwork (e.g., a wide area broadband network, or the like) with wirelessextensions (such as in-home modems, small cells, or community WiFi, orthe like).

Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions forimplementing network infrastructure for provisioning of services, and,in particular embodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computersoftware for implementing combined broadband and wirelessself-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for implementingcombined fixed broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”),in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram illustrating another system forimplementing combined fixed broadband and wireless SON, in accordancewith various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram illustrating yet another system forimplementing combined fixed broadband and wireless SON, in accordancewith various embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment inwhich self-organizing network functionality is implemented to adjust tochanges in individual fixed broadband network nodes and individualwireless network nodes in the self-organizing network.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment inwhich optimal paths are established through a combination of fixedbroadband network nodes and wireless network nodes.

FIGS. 5A-5F are flow diagrams illustrating a method for implementingcombined broadband and wireless SON, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system of computers,computing systems, or system hardware architecture, which can be used inaccordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS Overview

Various embodiments provide tools and techniques for implementingnetwork infrastructure for provisioning of services, and, in particularembodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer software forimplementing combined broadband and wireless self-organizing network(“SON”) for provisioning of services.

In various embodiments, a computing system might receive, from one ormore first sensors, information regarding one or more first operationalstates of each of a plurality of fixed broadband network nodes of theone or more fixed network nodes between a service provider facility anda plurality of network interface devices located at a plurality ofservice areas (e.g., customer premises (e.g., single family homes,multi-dwelling complexes, hotels, resorts, etc.), business premises(e.g., office buildings, warehouses, factories, stores, etc.),government buildings, public buildings, public parks, etc.). In somecases, the network interface devices each might be either a gatewaydevice (which might be either one of the fixed network nodes or one ofthe wireless network nodes (e.g., a wireless access point (“WAP”), orthe like)). The computing system might similarly receive, from one ormore second sensors, information regarding one or more secondoperational states of each of a plurality of wireless network nodes ofthe one or more wireless network nodes. A plurality of wireless endpointdevices (or user devices) of the plurality of wireless network nodesmight be located at the plurality of service areas.

In some cases, monitoring the one or more first operational states mightcomprise obtaining information comprising at least one of availablebandwidth, number of operational splitters, location information, typeof fixed broadband network, loop qualification information, loop length,port speed audit information, train rate information, digital subscriberline (“DSL”) vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates,current synchronization rates, tone utilization information, line codeviolation information, or upstream and downstream forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) information, and/or the like. In some embodiments,monitoring the one or more second operational states comprises obtaininginformation comprising at least one of power levels, channel width,channel number, frequency of use of each channel, antenna elements,modulation coding scheme information, signal preconditioning, or cyclicprefix (i.e., regular or extended), wherein the modulation coding schemeinformation comprises at least one of modulation level, forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”)rank, and/or the like.

The computing system might analyze the received information regardingthe one or more first operational states of each of the plurality offixed broadband network nodes and the received information regarding theone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes. The computing system might subsequentlydetermine an optimal network pathway from the service provider facilityto one or more wireless endpoint devices (and/or to one or more userdevices), through a determined first combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes, based at least in part on the analysis of the receivedinformation regarding the one or more first operational states and thereceived information regarding the one or more second operationalstates. The determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes might comprise one or more fixed broadband network nodes of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and one or more wirelessnetwork nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes. Merely by wayof example, in some cases, determining the optimal network pathway mightcomprise determining, with the computing system, the optimal networkpathway to optimize at least one of coverage, capacity, latency, loadbalancing, privilege of a given area, mobility robustness, or keyperformance characteristics of the combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes, and/or the like.

The computing system might then establish the determined optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices (and/or to the one or more user devices), through thedetermined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes. Insome embodiments, establishing the determined optimal network pathwayfrom the service provider facility to the one or more wireless endpointdevices (and/or to the one or more user devices), through the determinedfirst combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, might comprisesending, with the computing system, instructions to one or moreintermediary network switches (whether fixed network nodes or wirelessnetwork nodes) to direct broadband traffic along the determined optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to the one or morewireless endpoint devices (and/or to the one or more user devices) toprovide broadband service to the one or more wireless endpoint devices.

In some embodiments, the computing system might similar determine andestablish optimal network backhaul pathways to the service providerfacility, through a determined combination of fixed and wireless networknodes. According to some embodiments, feedback mechanisms may beimplemented to further optimize the network pathways and networkbackhaul pathways, by monitoring the one or more first operationalstates and monitoring the one or more second operational states afterthe network pathways and the network backhaul pathways had beenestablished, by analyzing the further monitored first operational statesand second operational states, determining a second optimal networkpathway(s) and a second optimal network backhaul pathway(s).

The various embodiments described herein enable SON optimization ofcombined fixed broadband network (e.g., a wide area broadband network,or the like) and wireless network (such as in-home modems, small cells,or community WiFi, or the like). These and other functionalities aredescribed in detail below with respect to the figures.

The following detailed description illustrates a few exemplaryembodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in the art topractice such embodiments. The described examples are provided forillustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

The tools provided by various embodiments include, without limitation,methods, systems, and/or software products. Merely by way of example, amethod might comprise one or more procedures, any or all of which areexecuted by a computer system. Correspondingly, an embodiment mightprovide a computer system configured with instructions to perform one ormore procedures in accordance with methods provided by various otherembodiments. Similarly, a computer program might comprise a set ofinstructions that are executable by a computer system (and/or aprocessor therein) to perform such operations. In many cases, suchsoftware programs are encoded on physical, tangible, and/ornon-transitory computer readable media (such as, to name but a fewexamples, optical media, magnetic media, and/or the like).

Various embodiments described herein, while embodying (in some cases)software products, computer-performed methods, and/or computer systems,represent tangible, concrete improvements to existing technologicalareas, including, without limitation, network infrastructure technology,self-organizing network (“SON”) technology, and/or the like. In otheraspects, certain embodiments, can improve the functioning of networkequipment or systems themselves (e.g., telecommunications equipment,network components, etc.), for example, analyzing, with a computingsystem, the monitored one or more first operational states of each ofthe plurality of fixed broadband network nodes (from one or more firstsensors) and the monitored one or more second operational states of eachof the plurality of wireless network nodes (from one or more secondsensors); determining, with the computing system, an optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to one or more wirelessendpoint devices and/or an optimal network backhaul pathway back to theservice provider facility, through a determined first and/or secondcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based at least in parton the analysis of the monitored one or more first operational statesand the monitored one or more second operational states; andestablishing, with the computing system, the determined optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices and/or the determined optimal network backhaul pathwayback to the service provider facility, through the determined firstand/or second combination of fixed and wireless network nodes. Inparticular, to the extent any abstract concepts are present in thevarious embodiments, those concepts can be implemented as describedherein by devices, software, systems, and methods that involve specificnovel functionality (e.g., steps or operations), such as analyzing, witha computing system, the monitored one or more first operational statesof each of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes (from one ormore first sensors) and the monitored one or more second operationalstates of each of the plurality of wireless network nodes (from one ormore second sensors); determining, with the computing system, an optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to one or morewireless endpoint devices and/or an optimal network backhaul pathwayback to the service provider facility, through a determined first and/orsecond combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based at leastin part on the analysis of the monitored one or more first operationalstates and the monitored one or more second operational states; andestablishing, with the computing system, the determined optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices and/or the determined optimal network backhaul pathwayback to the service provider facility, through the determined firstand/or second combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, and/orthe like, to name a few examples, that extend beyond mere conventionalcomputer processing operations. These functionalities can producetangible results outside of the implementing computer system, including,merely by way of example, implementing combined fixed (broadband) andwireless SON for provisioning of broadband and/or backhaul services,which may be observed or measured by customers and/or service providersat least in terms of improved network functionality.

In an aspect, a method might comprise monitoring, with one or more firstsensors, one or more first operational states of each of a plurality offixed broadband network nodes between a service provider facility and aplurality of network interface devices located at a plurality of serviceareas; and monitoring, with one or more second sensors, one or moresecond operational states of each of a plurality of wireless networknodes, the plurality of wireless network nodes comprising a plurality ofwireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpoint devices, theplurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at the plurality ofservice areas. The method might also comprise analyzing, with acomputing system, the monitored one or more first operational states ofeach of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the monitoredone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes; and determining, with the computing system, anoptimal network pathway from the service provider facility to one ormore wireless endpoint devices, through a determined first combinationof fixed and wireless network nodes, based at least in part on theanalysis of the monitored one or more first operational states and themonitored one or more second operational states. The determined firstcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes might comprise one ormore fixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes and one or more wireless network nodes of the plurality ofwireless network nodes. The method might further comprise establishing,with the computing system, the determined optimal network pathway fromthe service provider facility to the one or more wireless endpointdevices, through the determined first combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes.

In some embodiments, establishing the determined optimal network pathwayfrom the service provider facility to the one or more wireless endpointdevices, through the determined first combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes, might comprise sending, with the computing system,instructions to one or more intermediary network switches to directbroadband traffic along the determined optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to the one or more wireless endpoint devicesto provide broadband service to the one or more wireless endpointdevices. In some cases, determining and establishing the optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices, through the determined first combination of fixed andwireless network nodes are performed differently for different types ofnetwork services provided.

According to some embodiments, the method might further comprisedetermining, with the computing system, one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways to the service provider facility, through a determinedsecond combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based on theanalysis of the monitored one or more first operational states and themonitored one or more second operational states; and establishing, withthe computing system, the determined one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways from the at least one wireless endpoint device to theservice provider facility, through the determined second combination offixed and wireless network nodes. The determined second combination offixed and wireless network nodes might comprise at least one fixedbroadband network node of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodesand at least one wireless network node of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes.

In some cases, the monitored one or more first operational states andthe monitored one or more second operational states each might comprisebandwidth usage and bandwidth capacity, and determining the one or moreoptimal network backhaul pathways might comprise determining, with thecomputing system, the one or more optimal network backhaul pathwaysbased on available bandwidth exceeding subscribed-to bandwidth for eachof a plurality of customers. In some instances, establishing thedetermined one or more optimal network backhaul pathways from the atleast one wireless endpoint device to the service provider facilitymight comprise sending, with the computing system, instructions tointermediary network switches to direct backhaul traffic along thedetermined one or more optimal network backhaul pathways from the atleast one wireless endpoint device to the service provider facility toprovide backhaul service.

In some embodiments, determining the optimal network pathway anddetermining the one or more optimal network backhaul pathways areinitiated in response to each of one or more trigger events. The one ormore trigger events, in some instances, might each comprise one of asudden statistically significant change in network performancecharacteristics, a change in network performance characteristics thatexceed predetermined threshold levels, a seasonal change in wirelesspropagation characteristics, a weather-related change in wirelesspropagation characteristics, a network service fault at one or morefixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes, a network service fault at one or more wireless networknodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes, a completed salestransaction with a customer for provisioning of network services to thecustomer, or a change in network usage that exceeds specified levels,and/or the like.

Merely by way of example, according to some embodiments, the pluralityof fixed broadband network nodes might be associated with fixedbroadband services comprising at least one of a passive optical network(“PON”) service, a gigabit PON (“GPON”) service, an Ethernet fiber lineservice, an Ethernet PON (“EPON”) service, a next generation PON(“NGPON”) service, a second generation NGPON or 40 Gigabit-capable PON(“NGPON2”) service, a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) service, anasymmetric DSL (“ADSL”) service, a symmetric DSL (“SDSL”) service, ahigh speed voice and data link service, a rate-adaptive DSL (“RADSL”)service, a very high bit rate DSL (“VDSL,” “VDSL2,” or “VDSL2-Vplus”), auni-DSL (“UDSL”) service, a frequency division vectoring service, amicrowave radio service, a millimeter-wave radio service, a free-spaceoptical service, a data over cable service interface specification(“DOCSIS”)-based cable service, or a fixed backhaul wireless service,and/or the like. In some embodiments, the plurality of wireless networknodes might be associated with wireless communications comprising atleast one of machine-to-machine Internet of Things (“IoT”)communications, Bluetooth communications, Z-wave communications, ZigBeecommunications, WiFi communications, cellular network communications,and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the method might further comprise repeating theprocesses of: monitoring the one or more first operational states ofeach of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes; monitoring theone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes; and analyzing the monitored one or more firstoperations states of each of the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes and the monitored one or more second operational states of each ofthe plurality of wireless network nodes. The method might also comprisedetermining, with the computing system, a second optimal network pathwayfrom the service provider facility to one or more wireless endpointdevices, through a determined third combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes, based on the repeated analysis of the monitored one ormore first operational states and the monitored one or more secondoperational states; determining, with the computing system, whether theoptimal network pathway and the second optimal network pathway aredifferent; and, based on a determination that the optimal networkpathway and the second optimal network pathway are different,establishing, with the computing system, the determined second optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to the one or morewireless endpoint devices, through the determined third combination offixed and wireless network nodes.

In some embodiments, at least one fixed broadband network node of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes might comprise at least onefirst sensor of the one or more first sensors. The at least one firstsensor might monitor the one or more first operational states of each ofone or more adjacent fixed broadband network nodes of the plurality offixed broadband network nodes. In some instances, at least one wirelessnetwork node of the plurality of wireless network nodes might compriseat least one second sensor of the one or more second sensors. The atleast one second sensor might monitor the one or more second operationalstates of each of one or more adjacent wireless network nodes of theplurality of wireless network nodes.

According to some embodiments, monitoring the one or more firstoperational states might comprise obtaining information comprising atleast one of available bandwidth, number of operational splitters,location information, type of fixed broadband network, loopqualification information, loop length, port speed audit information,train rate information, digital subscriber line (“DSL”) vectoring rateinformation, maximum available bit rates, current synchronization rates,tone utilization information, line code violation information, orupstream and downstream forward error correction (“FEC”) information,and/or the like. In some embodiments, monitoring the one or more secondoperational states comprises obtaining information comprising at leastone of power levels, channel width, channel number, frequency of use ofeach channel, antenna elements, modulation coding scheme information,signal preconditioning, or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular or extended),wherein the modulation coding scheme information comprises at least oneof modulation level, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, ormultiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like.

According to various embodiments, determining the optimal networkpathway might comprise determining, with the computing system, theoptimal network pathway to optimize at least one of coverage, capacity,latency, load balancing, privilege of a given area, mobility robustness,or key performance characteristics of the combination of fixed andwireless network nodes, and/or the like. In some cases, the computingsystem might comprise one of a server computer located at the serviceprovider facility, a distributed computing system, at least one of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes, or at least one of theplurality of wireless network nodes, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, determining the optimal network pathwaymight comprise determining, with the computing system, one or moreparameters to adjust in each of one or more of at least one fixedbroadband network node of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodeor at least one wireless network node of the plurality of wirelessnetwork node to optimize at least one of coverage, capacity, latency,load balancing, privilege of a given area, mobility robustness, or keyperformance characteristics of the combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes. Establishing the determined optimal network pathway mightthus comprise adjusting, with the computing system, the determined oneor more parameters in each of one or more of the at least one fixedbroadband network node or the at least one wireless network node. Merelyby way of example, in some cases, the one or more parameters mightinclude, without limitation, at least one of bandwidth, train rate, tonebeing used, power levels, channel width, channel number, frequency ofuse, antenna element parameters, modulation coding scheme, signalpreconditioning parameters, or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular orextended), and/or the like. The modulation coding scheme might include,but is not limited to, at least one of modulation level, forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”)rank, and/or the like. In other words, determining and establishing theoptimal network pathway might either involve re-routing the network paththrough the combination of fixed and wireless network nodes and/oradjusting one or more parameters of the (existing or re-routed) fixedand/or wireless network nodes, or the like.

In another aspect, an apparatus might comprise at least one processorand a non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled tothe at least one processor. The non-transitory computer readable mediummight have stored thereon computer software comprising a set ofinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causesthe apparatus to: receive, from one or more first sensors, informationregarding one or more first operational states of each of a plurality offixed broadband network nodes between a service provider facility and aplurality of network interface devices located at a plurality of serviceareas; receive, from one or more second sensors, information regardingone or more second operational states of each of a plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes, the plurality of wireless network nodes comprising aplurality of wireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpointdevices, the plurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at theplurality of service areas; analyze the received information regardingthe one or more first operational states of each of the plurality offixed broadband network nodes and the received information regarding theone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes; determine an optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to one or more wireless endpoint devices,through a determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes, based at least in part on the analysis of the receivedinformation regarding the one or more first operational states and thereceived information regarding the one or more second operationalstates, the determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes comprising one or more fixed broadband network nodes of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and one or more wirelessnetwork nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes; and establishthe determined optimal network pathway from the service providerfacility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices, through thedetermined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus might comprise one of aserver computer located at the service provider facility, a distributedcomputing system, at least one of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes, or at least one of the plurality of wireless networknodes, and/or the like.

In yet another aspect, a system might comprise one or more first sensorsthat monitor one or more first operational states of each of a pluralityof fixed broadband network nodes between a service provider facility anda plurality of network interface devices located at a plurality ofservice areas; one or more second sensors that monitor one or moresecond operational states of each of a plurality of wireless networknodes, the plurality of wireless network nodes comprising a plurality ofwireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpoint devices, theplurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at the plurality ofservice areas; and a computing system. The computing system mightcomprise at least one processor and a non-transitory computer readablemedium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium might have stored thereoncomputer software comprising a set of instructions that, when executedby the at least one processor, causes the computing system to: receive,from the one or more first sensors, information regarding one or morefirst operational states of each of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes between the service provider facility and the plurality ofnetwork interface devices located at the plurality of service areas;receive, from the one or more second sensors, information regarding oneor more second operational states of each of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes; analyze the received information regarding the one ormore first operational states of each of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes and the received information regarding the oneor more second operational states of each of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes; determine an optimal network pathway from the serviceprovider facility to one or more wireless endpoint devices, through adetermined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, basedat least in part on the analysis of the received information regardingthe one or more first operational states and the received informationregarding the one or more second operational states, the determinedfirst combination of fixed and wireless network nodes comprising one ormore fixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes and one or more wireless network nodes of the plurality ofwireless network nodes; and establish the determined optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices, through the determined first combination of fixed andwireless network nodes.

In some embodiments, at least one fixed broadband network node of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes might comprise at least onefirst sensor of the one or more first sensors. The at least one firstsensor might monitor the one or more first operational states of each ofone or more adjacent fixed broadband network nodes of the plurality offixed broadband network nodes. In some instances, at least one wirelessnetwork node of the plurality of wireless network nodes might compriseat least one second sensor of the one or more second sensors. The atleast one second sensor might monitor the one or more second operationalstates of each of one or more adjacent wireless network nodes of theplurality of wireless network nodes.

According to some embodiments, the computing system might comprise oneof a server computer located at the service provider facility, adistributed computing system, at least one of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes, or at least one of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes, and/or the like.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

Specific Exemplary Embodiments

We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the drawings. FIGS. 1-7illustrate some of the features of the method, system, and apparatus forimplementing network infrastructure for provisioning of services, and,in particular embodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computersoftware for implementing combined broadband and wirelessself-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services, asreferred to above. The methods, systems, and apparatuses illustrated byFIGS. 1-7 refer to examples of different embodiments that includevarious components and steps, which can be considered alternatives orwhich can be used in conjunction with one another in the variousembodiments. The description of the illustrated methods, systems, andapparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-7 is provided for purposes of illustrationand should not be considered to limit the scope of the differentembodiments.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagramillustrating a system 100 for implementing combined fixed broadband andwireless self-organizing network (“SON”), in accordance with variousembodiments. In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1, system 100 mightcomprise computing systems 105 a and/or 105 b (collectively, “computingsystems 105”) and corresponding databases 110 a and/or 110 b(collectively, “databases 110”). Computing system 105 a andcorresponding database 110 a might be located at a service providerfacility 115, which might include, without limitation, one of a centraloffice (“CO”) or other service provider locations. Computing system 105b and corresponding database 110 b might be located at another locationwithin service provider network(s) 120, which might communicativelycouple with network(s) 125. Network(s) 120 and 125 might each include alocal area network (“LAN”), including, without limitation, a fibernetwork, an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring™ network, and/or the like; awide-area network (“WAN”); a wireless wide area network (“WWAN”); avirtual network, such as a virtual private network (“VPN”); theInternet; an intranet; an extranet; a public switched telephone network(“PSTN”); an infra-red network; a wireless network, including, withoutlimitation, a cellular network, an LTE network, a network operatingunder any of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the 802.16 suite ofprotocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol known in the art, the Z-Wave protocolknown in the art, the ZigBee protocol or other IEEE 802.15.4 suite ofprotocols known in the art, and/or any other wireless protocol; and/orany combination of these and/or other networks. Network(s) 120 mightalso include an access network of the service provider (e.g., anInternet service provider (“ISP”), or the like), or a core network ofthe service provider, or the like.

According to some embodiments, system 100 might further comprise one ormore fixed broadband network nodes or fixed network nodes 130 a-130 n(collectively, “fixed network nodes 130,” “fixed broadband network nodes130,” or “network nodes 130,” or the like) and one or more wirelessnetwork nodes 135. The one or more wireless network nodes 135 mightinclude, without limitation, one or more wireless endpoint devices 140a-140 n (collectively, “wireless endpoints 140,” “endpoint devices 140,”“wireless node 140,” “wireless network node 140,” or the like), one ormore user devices 145 a-145 n (collectively, “user devices 145,”“devices 145,” “wireless node 145,” “wireless network node 145,” or thelike), one or more wireless access point (“WAP”) devices 150(collectively, “wireless access points 150,” “WAPs 150,” “wireless node150,” “wireless network node 150,” or the like), and/or the like.

Here, “fixed” (broadband) network nodes refer to wired or opticalcable-based network nodes, or broadband wireless microwave ormillimeter-wave or free-space optical links that are typically (althoughnot always) fixed in place within particular geographical locations.Merely by way of example, in some embodiments, the fixed broadbandnetwork nodes 130 might be associated with fixed broadband servicesincluding, but not limited to, at least one of a passive optical network(“PON”) service, a gigabit PON (“GPON”) service, an Ethernet fiber lineservice, an Ethernet PON (“EPON”) service, a next generation PON(“NGPON”) service, a second generation NGPON or 40 Gigabit-capable PON(“NGPON2”) service, a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) service, anasymmetric DSL (“ADSL”) service, a symmetric DSL (“SDSL”) service, ahigh speed voice and data link service, a rate-adaptive DSL (“RADSL”)service, a very high bit rate DSL (“VDSL,” “VDSL2,” or “VDSL2-Vplus”), auni-DSL (“UDSL”) service, a frequency division vectoring service, amicrowave radio service, a millimeter-wave radio service, a free-spaceoptical service, a data over cable service interface specification(“DOCSIS”)-based cable service, or a fixed backhaul wireless service,and/or the like. In some cases, the fixed backhaul wireless servicemight include, but is not limited to, point-to-point orpoint-to-multipoint microwave or millimeter-wave lines. These fixedbackhaul wireless links, in some instances, might include their ownsubset of self-organizing rules to optimize backhaul services. Accordingto some embodiments, wireless network nodes 135 might be associated withwireless communications comprising at least one of machine-to-machineInternet of Things (“IoT”) communications, Bluetooth communications,Z-wave communications, ZigBee communications, WiFi communications,cellular network communications (e.g., 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, 5G, etc.), and/orthe like. The WAPs 150 each provides a bridge between fixed broadbandservice and wireless broadband service, as depicted in FIG. 1 by solidline connections with one or more fixed network nodes 130 and bylightning bolt symbols denoting wireless communications with one or morewireless network nodes 135.

According to some embodiments, the computing system 105 a or 105 b(collectively, “computing system 105”) might comprise one of a servercomputer located at the service provider facility 115, a distributedcomputing system, at least one of the one or more fixed broadbandnetwork nodes 130, or at least one of the one or more wireless networknodes 135, and/or the like. In some cases, at least one fixed broadbandnetwork node 130 of the one or more fixed network nodes 130 mightcomprise at least one first sensor. The at least one first sensor mightmonitor the one or more first operational states of each of at least oneadjacent fixed broadband network node 130 of the one or more fixedbroadband network nodes 130. In embodiments where fixed broadbandnetwork nodes are linked by fixed wireless links, such links may beaffected by weather impediments such as rain fades or the like. Acombination of the use of rain sensors and attenuation measurementsmight be used to monitor operational states, and the computing system105 might, based on the monitoring of operational states, optionallychange paths within the fixed broadband network nodes and/or the fixedwireless network nodes, or the like. In embodiments where the fixedbroadband network nodes are linked by a mix of fixed wireless links andwired links, monitoring weather impediments and rain fades might resultin prioritizing links towards wired links during weather-affected timeperiods. At least one wireless network node 135 of the one or morewireless network nodes 135, in some cases, might comprise at least onesecond sensor. The at least one second sensor might monitor the one ormore second operational states of each of at least one adjacent wirelessnetwork node 135 of the one or more wireless network nodes 135.

In operation, computing system 105 might receive, from one or more firstsensors, information regarding one or more first operational states ofeach of a plurality of fixed broadband network nodes 130 of the one ormore fixed network nodes 130 between a service provider facility 115 anda plurality of network interface devices located at a plurality ofservice areas (e.g., customer premises (e.g., single family homes,multi-dwelling complexes, hotels, resorts, etc.), business premises(e.g., office buildings, warehouses, factories, stores, etc.),government buildings, public buildings, public parks, etc.). In somecases, the network interface devices each might be either a gatewaydevice (which might be either one of the fixed network nodes 130 or oneof the wireless network nodes 135 (e.g., a WAP 150 or the like)). Thecomputing system 105 might similarly receive, from one or more secondsensors, information regarding one or more second operational states ofeach of a plurality of wireless network nodes 135 of the one or morewireless network nodes 135. A plurality of wireless endpoint devices 140or user devices 145 of the plurality of wireless network nodes 135 mightbe located at the plurality of service areas.

In some cases, monitoring the one or more first operational states mightcomprise obtaining information comprising at least one of availablebandwidth, number of operational splitters, location information, typeof fixed broadband network, loop qualification information, loop length,port speed audit information, train rate information, digital subscriberline (“DSL”) vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates,current synchronization rates, tone utilization information, line codeviolation information, or upstream and downstream forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) information, and/or the like. In some embodiments,monitoring the one or more second operational states comprises obtaininginformation comprising at least one of power levels, channel width,channel number, frequency of use of each channel, antenna elements,modulation coding scheme information, signal preconditioning, or cyclicprefix (i.e., regular or extended), wherein the modulation coding schemeinformation comprises at least one of modulation level, forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”)rank, and/or the like.

The computing system 105 might analyze the received informationregarding the one or more first operational states of each of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes 130 and the receivedinformation regarding the one or more second operational states of eachof the plurality of wireless network nodes 135. The computing system 105might subsequently determine an optimal network pathway from the serviceprovider facility to one or more wireless endpoint devices 140 and/or toone or more user devices 145, through a determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes 130 and 135, based at least in part onthe analysis of the received information regarding the one or more firstoperational states and the received information regarding the one ormore second operational states. The determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes might comprise one or more fixedbroadband network nodes 130 of the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes 130 and one or more wireless network nodes 135 of the plurality ofwireless network nodes 135. Merely by way of example, in some cases,determining the optimal network pathway might comprise determining, withthe computing system, the optimal network pathway to optimize at leastone of coverage, capacity, latency, load balancing, privilege of a givenarea, mobility robustness, or key performance characteristics of thecombination of fixed and wireless network nodes, and/or the like.

The computing system 105 might then establish the determined optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to the one or morewireless endpoint devices 140 and/or to the one or more user devices145, through the determined first combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes 130 and 135. In some embodiments, establishing thedetermined optimal network pathway from the service provider facility115 to the one or more wireless endpoint devices 140 and/or to the oneor more user devices 145, through the determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes 130 and 135, might comprise sending,with the computing system 105, instructions to one or more intermediarynetwork switches (whether fixed network nodes 130 or wireless networknodes 135) to direct broadband traffic along the determined optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility 115 to the one ormore wireless endpoint devices 140 and/or to the one or more userdevices 145 to provide broadband service to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices. In some embodiments, multiple network services may beoffered over the network, in which case each set of services may use adifferent determination method and/or parameters to determine theoptimal network pathway(s). In other words, determining and establishingthe optimal network pathway from the service provider facility to theone or more wireless endpoint devices, through the determined firstcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes are performeddifferently for different types of network services provided. Forinstance, video delivery services may optimize network pathways tominimize bit error rate, while other services such as voice services mayoptimize network pathways to minimize latency, and best effort dataservices offered at the same time over the same network might optimizenetwork pathways in terms of maximizing throughput or other keyparameters, including, without limitation, redundancy considerations,traffic statistics, peak bitrates, guaranteed bitrates, averagebitrates, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, the computing system 105 might repeat (orcontinually perform) the processes of: monitoring the one or more firstoperational states of each of the one or more fixed broadband networknodes 130; monitoring the one or more second operational states of eachof the one or more wireless network nodes 135; and analyzing themonitored one or more first operations states of each of the one or morefixed broadband network nodes 130 and the monitored one or more secondoperational states of each of the one or more wireless network nodes135. The computing system 105 might determine a second optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility 115 to the one or morewireless endpoint devices 140 and/or to the one or more user devices145, through a determined second combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes 130 and 135, based on the repeated analysis of themonitored one or more first operational states and the monitored one ormore second operational states. The computing system 105 might determinewhether the optimal network pathway and the second optimal networkpathway are different, and, based on a determination that the optimalnetwork pathway and the second optimal network pathway are different,might establish the determined second optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices140 and/or to the one or more user devices 145, through the determinedsecond combination of fixed and wireless network nodes 130 and 135.

According to various embodiments, determining the optimal networkpathway might comprise determining, with the computing system 105, oneor more parameters to adjust in each of one or more of at least onefixed broadband network node 130 of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork node 130 or at least one wireless network node 135 of theplurality of wireless network node 135 to optimize at least one ofcoverage, capacity, latency, load balancing, privilege of a given area,mobility robustness, or key performance characteristics of thecombination of fixed and wireless network nodes. Establishing thedetermined optimal network pathway might thus comprise adjusting, withthe computing system 105, the determined one or more parameters in eachof one or more of the at least one fixed broadband network node 130 orthe at least one wireless network node 135. Merely by way of example, insome cases, the one or more parameters might include, withoutlimitation, at least one of bandwidth, train rate, tone being used,power levels, channel width, channel number, frequency of use, antennaelement parameters (e.g., for beam forming or the like), modulationcoding scheme, signal preconditioning parameters, or cyclic prefix(i.e., regular or extended), and/or the like. The modulation codingscheme might include, but is not limited to, at least one of modulationlevel, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, or multiple-inputmultiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like. In other words,determining and establishing the optimal network pathway might eitherinvolve re-routing the network path through the combination of fixed andwireless network nodes 130 and/or 135 and/or adjusting one or moreparameters of the (existing or re-routed) fixed and/or wireless networknodes 130 and/or 135, or the like.

In some embodiments, the computing system 105 might determine one ormore optimal network backhaul pathways to the service provider facility115 (from one or more of the fixed and/or wireless network nodes 130and/or 135), through a determined third combination of fixed andwireless network nodes 130 and/or 135, based on the analysis of themonitored one or more first operational states and the monitored one ormore second operational states. The determined third combination offixed and wireless network nodes 130 and 135 might comprise at least onefixed broadband network node 130 of the one or more fixed broadbandnetwork nodes 130 and at least one wireless network node 135 of the oneor more wireless network nodes 135. Merely by way of example, accordingto some embodiments, the monitored one or more first operational statesand the monitored one or more second operational states might eachinclude, without limitation, bandwidth usage and bandwidth capacity,and/or the like, and determining the one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways might comprise determining, with the computing system105, the one or more optimal network backhaul pathways based onavailable bandwidth exceeding subscribed-to bandwidth for each of aplurality of customers, or the like.

The computing system 105 might subsequently establish the determined oneor more optimal network backhaul pathways to the service providerfacility 115, through the determined third combination of fixed andwireless network nodes 130 and/or 135. According to some embodiments,establishing the determined one or more optimal network backhaulpathways to the service provider facility 115 might comprise sending,with the computing system 105, instructions to intermediary networkswitches (whether fixed network nodes 130 or wireless network nodes 135)to direct backhaul traffic along the determined one or more optimalnetwork backhaul pathways (from the at least one wireless endpointdevice or other wireless network nodes) to the service provider facility115 to provide backhaul service.

According to some embodiments, the computing system 105 might repeat (orcontinually perform) the processes of: monitoring the one or more firstoperational states of each of the one or more fixed broadband networknodes 130; monitoring the one or more second operational states of eachof the one or more wireless network nodes 135; and analyzing themonitored one or more first operations states of each of the one or morefixed broadband network nodes 130 and the monitored one or more secondoperational states of each of the one or more wireless network nodes135. The computing system 105 might determine a second optimal networkbackhaul pathway to the service provider facility 115, through adetermined fourth combination of fixed and wireless network nodes 130and 135, based on the repeated analysis of the monitored one or morefirst operational states and the monitored one or more secondoperational states. The computing system 105 might determine whether theoptimal network backhaul pathway and the second optimal network backhaulpathway are different, and, based on a determination that the optimalnetwork backhaul pathway and the second optimal network backhaul pathwayare different, might establish the determined second optimal networkbackhaul pathway to the service provider facility 115, through thedetermined fourth combination of fixed and wireless network nodes 130and 135.

According to various embodiments, determining the optimal networkbackhaul pathway might comprise determining, with the computing system105, one or more parameters to adjust in each of one or more of at leastone fixed broadband network node 130 of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork node 130 or at least one wireless network node 135 of theplurality of wireless network node 135 to optimize backhaul service.Establishing the determined optimal network backhaul pathway might thuscomprise adjusting, with the computing system 105, the determined one ormore parameters in each of one or more of the at least one fixedbroadband network node 130 or the at least one wireless network node135. Merely by way of example, in some cases, the one or more parametersmight include, without limitation, at least one of bandwidth, trainrate, tone being used, power levels, channel width, channel number,frequency of use, antenna element parameters (e.g., for beam forming orthe like), modulation coding scheme, signal preconditioning parameters,or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular or extended), and/or the like. Themodulation coding scheme might include, but is not limited to, at leastone of modulation level, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, ormultiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like. In otherwords, determining and establishing the optimal network backhaul pathwaymight either involve re-routing the network backhaul path through thecombination of fixed and wireless network nodes 130 and/or 135 and/oradjusting one or more parameters of the (existing or re-routed) fixedand/or wireless network nodes 130 and/or 135, or the like.

In some embodiments, determining the optimal network pathway anddetermining the one or more optimal network backhaul pathways areinitiated in response to each of one or more trigger events. Merely byway of example, according to some embodiments, the one or more triggerevents might each include, without limitation, one of a suddenstatistically significant change in network performance characteristics,a change in network performance characteristics that exceedpredetermined threshold levels, a seasonal change in wirelesspropagation characteristics, a weather-related change in wirelesspropagation characteristics, a network service fault at one or morefixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes, a network service fault at one or more wireless networknodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes, a completed salestransaction with a customer for provisioning of network services to thecustomer, or a change in network usage that exceeds specified levels,and/or the like.

The various embodiments combine self-organizing network (“SON”) conceptswith fixed broadband infrastructure (like GPON, NGPON2, DSL, DOCSIS, orfixed broadband wireless links, or the like) and a form of wirelessaccess (like Wi-Fi, LTE small cell, or upcoming 5G wireless systems, orthe like), to provide a distributed wireless network (such as acommunity Wi-Fi or LTE network, or the like) with a distributed fixednetwork backhaul such as a business or residential GPON, DSL or otherbroadband network, or the like. SONs rely on automatic data collection,analytics, and optimization algorithms. The innovative part is tocombine the fixed infrastructure parameters with the wirelessparameters. For instance, in a major service provider broadband servicearea, one might combine GPON, ADSL2+, VDSL2, and Wi-Fi optimization, orthe like. First, SON monitoring collects information on all lines andparameters such as GPON parameters, DSL line quality, training rates, aswell as optimization parameters such as DSL vectoring rates, stability,and optimization, or the like. In parallel, SON monitoring examines allWi-Fi (or other wireless protocol like LTE, or the like) key performanceparameters (e.g., key performance indicators (“KPI”), etc.), such asthroughput, error rates, preferred MCS, and all report parameters, orthe like. The various embodiments combine the two large groups of data,based on additional value in combining the information, for example:every fixed line address being known, providing geolocation for wirelessoptimization, giving information on potential neighbors; and/or wirelessaccess points being used to probe and refine neighbor information fromabove. Classic SON techniques may be applied that combine the two setsof information: derive knowledge of state of system, locations,parameters, coverage, capacity, and/or the like; define optimizingstrategy, and allows user-defined strategies (such as optimize coverage,vs capacity, vs latency, load balancing, privilege a given area, etc.);execute specific parameter changes to achieve the overall strategy;and/or the like. The approach is well suited to support new unplanneddeployment of access points or small cells including femtocells, basedon broadband customer orders, rather than planned roll-outs (as awireless carrier would do).

The combination of these SON features enables optimal network loadbalancing between radio resources and fixed broadband resources.Combining the algorithms and classic research topics with thecombination of wireless parameters and a very distributed set of fixedbroadband service offers new sets of optimization goals, includingoptimization tradeoffs between radio resource management and the manybackhaul links. Learning algorithms are used to: derive knowledge ofstate of system—in the various embodiments combining both radio resourceand broadband/backhaul links (e.g., locations, parameters, coverage,capacity, line states, etc.); define optimizing strategy—in the variousembodiments defining operator priorities and strategies for radioresources (such as optimizing coverage, vs capacity, vs latency, loadbalancing, privilege a given area, etc.) and combining these strategieswith fixed broadband network utilization and optimization (e.g., linerate, general noise mitigation NEXT/FEXT, load balancing, self-healing,etc.); execute specific parameter changes both on fixed lines and radioresources to achieve the overall strategy; and/or the like. Relevantoptimization algorithms might include, without limitation, learningalgorithms, game theory, and/or the like. In some embodiments, learningalgorithms include, but are not limited to, complex optimization andline rate change algorithms; overall key performance parameteralgorithms; system parameter setting algorithms (e.g., setting goals,priority, key parameters, and overall SON strategies, etc.); learningalgorithms to improve these parameters over time; ongoing modificationadjusting parameter algorithms to reach goals; and/or the like.According to some embodiments, game theory might include, withoutlimitation, treating every wireless cells as an individual player;applying cooperative or conflicting game theorems to maximize gain (bysetting key parameters), while minimizing some combined effects (such asinterference); and/or the like.

FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram illustrating another system 200 forimplementing combined fixed broadband and wireless SON, in accordancewith various embodiments. In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 2,system 200 might comprise a computing system 105 and correspondingdatabase 110, a network(s) 120, one or more fixed broadband networknodes or fixed network nodes 130, and one or more wireless network nodes135, which might include one or more wireless access point (“WAP”)devices 150. Each fixed network node 130 might comprise a processor 205,a data store 210, one or more communications transceivers 215, anartificial intelligence (“AI”) system 220 (optional), an input/output(“I/O”) device 225 (optional), an object identification (“ID”) beacon230 (optional), a location beacon 235 (optional), and one or moresensors 240 (optional). Each wireless network node 135 might comprise aprocessor 245, a data store 250, one or more communications transceivers255, an AI system 260 (optional), an I/O device 265 (optional), anobject ID beacon 270 (optional), a location beacon 275 (optional), andone or more sensors 280 (optional).

The processors 205 or 245 execute a set(s) of instructions (which mightbe stored in corresponding data store(s) 210 or 250) that cause thenetwork node 130 or 135 to perform functions consistent with networknodes for implementing combined fixed broadband and wireless SON asdescribed herein. In addition to storing the set(s) of instructions, thedata stores 210 or 250 might also store information regarding theoperational states of adjacent or neighboring network nodes 130 or 135,or the like. The communications transceivers 215 or 255 enable thenetwork nodes 130 or 135 to communicate with other network nodes 130 or135 and/or with computing system 105 or other network hardware.

The AI systems 220 or 260, if present in a particular network node 130or 135, might provide on-board AI processing to analyze the monitoredoperational states of neighboring or other network nodes 130, todetermine optimal network pathways and/or optimal network backhaulpathways, and/or to establish the determined optimal network pathwaysand/or the determined optimal network backhaul pathways, in the casethat the particular network node 130 or 135 serves as the computingsystem (or as one of many distributed computing systems), or the like.The AI systems 220 or 260 may also access external databases andinformation systems. The AI system may, for instance, use seasonal dataor weather-related data in order to prefer one network path versusanother. In some cases, the AI system 220 or 260 may access major roadconstruction plans and may use them to minimize network traffic load ona network path following a road where scheduled construction is morelikely to cause outages. the AI system 220 or 260 may also use rainstatistics, rain forecast, and/or nearby rain sensors to predict rainfades in a microwave link and might lower that link's modulation, ormight lower the link's use, or the like, before it is actually impactedby rain fade. The I/O devices 225 or 265, if present in a particularnetwork node 130 or 135, might provide a user (e.g., service providertechnician or the like) with I/O options in the case that physicalinteraction with the particular network node 130 or 135 is required orfeasible (i.e., accessible or the like). The object ID beacons 230 or270, if present in a particular network node 130 or 135, might providerequesting neighboring network nodes 130 or 135, the computing system105, or other network hardware with the unique ID of the particularnetwork node 130 or 135. The location beacon 235, if present in aparticular network node 130 or 135, might provide requesting neighboringnetwork nodes 130 or 135, the computing system 105, or other networkhardware with location information of the particular network node 130 or135.

The one or more sensors 240 or 280, if present in a particular networknode 130 or 135, might provide the particular network node 130 or 135with the capability to monitor adjacent or neighboring network nodes 130or 135, or to enable other sensory functionalities (e.g., Internet ofThings (“IoT”) functionalities or the like). For fixed network nodes130, the one or more sensors 240 (and in some embodiments, sensors 280as well) might monitor neighboring network nodes 130 and obtaininformation about each neighboring network node 130. Such informationmight include, but is not limited to, at least one of availablebandwidth, number of operational splitters, location information, typeof fixed broadband network, loop qualification information, loop length,port speed audit information, train rate information, digital subscriberline (“DSL”) vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates,current synchronization rates, tone utilization information, line codeviolation information, or upstream and downstream forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) information, and/or the like. For wireless networknodes 135, the one or more sensors 280 (and in some embodiments, sensors240 as well) might monitor neighboring network nodes 135 and obtaininformation about each neighboring network node 135. Such informationmight include, without limitation, at least one of power levels, channelwidth, channel number, frequency of use of each channel, antennaelements (e.g., for beam forming or the like), modulation coding schemeinformation, signal preconditioning, or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular orextended), wherein the modulation coding scheme information comprises atleast one of modulation level, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, ormultiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like.

The computing system 105, the database 110, the network(s) 120, thefixed network nodes 130, and the wireless network nodes 135 and 150 ofsystem 200 in FIG. 2 are otherwise similar, if not identical, to thecomputing system 105 a or 105 b, the database 110 a or 110 b, thenetwork(s) 120, the fixed (broadband) network nodes 130 a-130 n, and thewireless network nodes 135, 140 a-140 n, 145 a-145 n, and 150,respectively of system 100 of FIG. 1, and the descriptions of thesecomponents of system 100 are applicable to the corresponding componentsof system 200, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram illustrating yet another system 300for implementing combined fixed broadband and wireless SON, inaccordance with various embodiments. In the non-limiting embodiment ofFIG. 3, system 300 might comprise a wireless key performance indicator(“KPI”) monitoring server 305, a fixed KPI monitoring server 310, anoptimization server 315, a self-organizing network (“SON”) learningserver 320, a SON parameter settings server 325, one or more routers330, one or more digital subscriber line access multiplexers (“DSLAMs”)335, one or more wireless access points (“WAPs”) 340 a-340 n, one ormore devices 345 a-345 n or 350 a-350 n, one or more telecommunicationsrelay systems 355, one or more broadband access network servers 360, anda network(s) 365.

With reference to FIG. 3, each of the wireless KPI monitoring server305, the fixed KPI monitoring server 310, the optimization server 315,the SON learning server 320, and the SON parameter settings server 325communicatively couples to the WAPs 340 and to the broadband accessnetwork server(s) 360 and network(s) 365 (as depicted in FIG. 3 by solidlines 370), via router(s) 330 and/or DSLAM(s) 335. The wireless KPImonitoring server 305 and the fixed KPI monitoring server 310 monitorand collect information regarding the operational states of wirelessnetwork nodes and of fixed network nodes, respectively, viacorresponding wireless and fixed network connections (as depicted inFIG. 3 by dashed lines 375). The optimization server 315, likewise,monitors and collects optimization-related information, including, butnot limited to, line qualification information, loop qualificationinformation, (“DSL”) vectoring rate information, other optimizationinformation, and/or the like. The information collected by servers305-315 are sent to SON learning server 320 (as depicted in FIG. 3 byarrows 380). The SON learning server 320 (which in some embodimentsmight correspond to computing systems 105 a, 105 b, 105, and 305 ofFIGS. 1-3, or the like) might analyze the collected data, in some casesemploying learning algorithms and strategies, to determine one or moreoptimal network pathways to optimize the combined broadband and wirelessSON. The SON learning server 320 sends information associated with thedetermined one or more optimal network pathways to SON parametersettings server 325 (as depicted in FIG. 3 by the arrow 385). The SONparameter settings server 325 identifies the appropriate network nodes(both fixed and wireless), determines the parameters necessary to bemodified in the identified network nodes in order to implement thedetermine one or more optimal network pathways, and sends the parametersto the identified network nodes (as depicted in FIG. 3 by the dash-longdash arrows 390), thereby establishing the optimal network pathways.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment 400in which self-organizing network functionality is implemented to adjustto changes in individual fixed broadband network nodes and individualwireless network nodes in the self-organizing network. In thenon-limiting embodiment of FIG. 4A, embodiment 400 might comprisecomputing system 405, one or more fixed (broadband) network nodes A andB 430 a and 430 b (collectively, “fixed network nodes 430”), one or morewireless network nodes D-G 450 d-450 g (collectively, “wireless networknodes 450”), and network node 455—which is one of a fixed network node430 or a wireless network node 450. The fixed network nodes 430 and thewireless network nodes 450 combine to form a self-organizing network(“SON”) 420. As part of a SON, the network node 455 monitors adjacent orneighboring network nodes (whether fixed network node 430 or wirelessnetwork node 450) for their operational states.

For example, monitoring the one or more first operational states offixed network nodes might include, without limitation, obtaininginformation comprising at least one of available bandwidth, number ofoperational splitters, location information, type of fixed broadbandnetwork, loop qualification information, loop length, port speed auditinformation, train rate information, digital subscriber line (“DSL”)vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates, currentsynchronization rates, tone utilization information, line code violationinformation, or upstream and downstream forward error correction (“FEC”)information, and/or the like. Monitoring the one or more secondoperational states of wireless network nodes might include, but is notlimited to, obtaining information comprising at least one of powerlevels, channel width, channel number, frequency of use of each channel,antenna elements (e.g., for beam forming or the like), modulation codingscheme information, signal preconditioning, or cyclic prefix (i.e.,regular or extended), wherein the modulation coding scheme informationcomprises at least one of modulation level, forward error correction(“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/orthe like.

With respect to the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 4A, such SONmonitoring would comprise a network node 455 (whether a fixed networknode 430 or a wireless network node 450, or the like) receiving data 460a from fixed network node A 430 a, data 460 f from fixed network node B430 b, data 460 b from wireless network node D 450 d, data 460 c fromwireless network node E 450 e, data 460 d from wireless network node F450 f, and data 460 e from wireless network node G 450 g, and sendingdata 465 (directly or indirectly) to computing system 405. In otherwords, in some embodiments, data regarding the operational states ofboth neighboring fixed network nodes and neighboring wireless networknodes are monitored or collected by each network node (whether fixednetwork node or wireless network node), thus implementing the monitoringaspects of a combined fixed broadband and wireless self-organizingnetwork (“SON”).

Here, each of data 460 a and data 460 f contains information including,but not limited to, at least one of available bandwidth, number ofoperational splitters, location information, type of fixed broadbandnetwork, loop qualification information, loop length, port speed auditinformation, train rate information, digital subscriber line (“DSL”)vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates, currentsynchronization rates, tone utilization information, line code violationinformation, or upstream and downstream forward error correction (“FEC”)information, and/or the like, depending on the type of fixed networknode. For instance, for each of a passive optical network (“PON”)service, a gigabit PON (“GPON”) service, an Ethernet fiber line service,an Ethernet PON (“EPON”) service, a next generation PON (“NGPON”)service, a second generation NGPON or 40 Gigabit-capable PON (“NGPON2”)service, or the like, information or data that might be of interest for(SON or other) optimization purposes might include, without limitation,link budget by location, number of splitters, available bandwidth,and/or the like. For each of a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) service,an asymmetric DSL (“ADSL”) service, a symmetric DSL (“SDSL”) service, ahigh speed voice and data link service, a rate-adaptive DSL (“RADSL”)service, a very high bit rate DSL (“VDSL,” “VDSL2,” or “VDSL2-Vplus”), auni-DSL (“UDSL”) service, or the like, information or data that might beof interest for (SON or other) optimization purposes might include, butis not limited to, type of DSL (e.g., DSL, ADSL, ADSL2+, SDSL, RADSL,VDSL, VDSL2, VDSL2-Vplus, or the like), loop qualification information,loop length, port speed audit information (e.g., digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexer (“DSLAM”) port speed audit information, or the like),train rate information, DSL vectoring rate information, maximumavailable bit rates, current synchronization rates, tone utilizationinformation, line code violation information, or upstream and downstreamforward error correction (“FEC”) information, and/or the like.

Here, train rate information refers to information regarding theupstream and downstream train rates. For example, each line (which mighthave a particular loop length) is provisioned at a certain rate. A modemor other computing system might send a training sequence to train therate to be as close to optimal levels as possible. In other words, aline might be established at a certain (upload or download) speed, thenthe line might be tested at a higher speed until it achieves an optimallevel (e.g., a level at which maximum acceptable error rates arereached, or the like). The tables below provide a non-limiting exampleof train rates and speed profile information that might be used foroptimization of the combined fixed broadband and wireless SON.

TABLE 1 Example Downstream Train Rate Information % of Trained DownTrain Rate Summary Count Ports Trained at 100% of Provisioned Rate 4246.7% Trained at ≥90% and <100% of Provisioned Rate 47 52.2% Trained at≥70% and <90% of Provisioned Rate 1 1.1% Trained at <70% of ProvisionedRate 0 0.0%

TABLE 2 Example Upstream Train Rate Information % of Trained Up TrainRate Summary Count Ports Trained at 100% of Provisioned Rate 42 46.7%Trained at ≥90% and <100% of Provisioned Rate 48 53.3% Trained at ≥70%and <90% of Provisioned Rate 0 0.0% Trained at <70% of Provisioned Rate0 0.0%

TABLE 3 Example Speed Profile Information Speed Profile Downstream TrainUpstream Train Summary Trained Trained Rate Rate (download × #Provisioned at 100% at 100% Mean Std Dev Mean Std upload) (at Rate) InService Down Up (kbps) (kbps) (kbps) Dev 15872 × 896 20 19 0 1 15828.6174.8 891.3 1.8 (22.2%) (0.0%) (5.3%) (99.7%) (99.5%)  50112 × 5120 1010 9 10 49720.4 1174.8 5120 0 (11.1%) (90.0%) (100.0%) (99.2%) (100.0%) 9216 × 896 7 7 1 1 9210.9 2.3 891.3 2.4 (7.8%) (14.3%) (14.3%) (99.9%)(99.5%) 20128 × 896 7 7 1 1 20125.7 1.3 892.6 1.4 (7.8%) (14.3%) (14.3%)(100.0%) (99.6%) 26112 × 896 7 7 7 6 26112 0 895.4 1.4 (7.8%) (100.0%)(85.7%) (100.0%) (99.9%)

Herein also, “DSL vectoring” might refer to optimization for DSL servicethat, in some embodiments, seeks to lower excessive noise in DSL serviceto other customers due to too much power being supplied to service aparticular customer's DSL service, by reducing the power to theparticular customer's DSL service (thereby lowering the bandwidth). “DSLvectoring rate” might refer to the rate at which power is changed toenable such optimization. “Tone utilization” might refer to utilizationof frequencies in the line, similar to spectrum being used on the line,where lower tone indices (or frequencies) are always used, while highertone indices (or frequencies) are less used due to loop lengthlimitations or the like that prevent consistent operation. “Line codeviolations information” might refer to particular error rates that aremonitored constantly, whereby quick events may be identified andignored, while major events are identified and addressed. These andother information may be used for optimization of the combined fixedbroadband and wireless SON.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), fixed network nodes 430 mightcollect data 460 from only neighboring fixed network nodes 430 (and notfrom wireless network nodes 450), while wireless network nodes 450 mightcollect data 460 from only neighboring wireless network nodes 450 (andnot from fixed network nodes 430). In such embodiments, the combinedfixed broadband and wireless self-organizing network (“SON”) isimplemented by determine and establishing the optimal network pathwaysthrough a combination of fixed network nodes 430 and wireless networknodes 450, as shown and described below with respect to FIG. 4B, forinstance.

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment 400′in which optimal paths are established through a combination of fixedbroadband network nodes and wireless network nodes. In the non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 4B, embodiment 400′ might comprise computing system405, one or more fixed (broadband) network nodes A-C 430 a-430 c(collectively, “fixed network nodes 430”), and one or more wirelessnetwork nodes D-G 450 d-450 g (collectively, “wireless network nodes450”). The fixed network nodes 430 and the wireless network nodes 450combine to form a self-organizing network (“SON”) 420.

In some embodiments, a computing system 405 might receive, from one ormore first sensors (which might correspond to sensor(s) 240 of FIG. 2,or the like), information regarding one or more first operational statesof each of a plurality of fixed broadband network nodes 430 between aservice provider facility and a plurality of network interface deviceslocated at a plurality of service areas. The computing system 405 mightreceive, from one or more second sensors (which might correspond tosensor(s) 280 of FIG. 2, or the like), information regarding one or moresecond operational states of each of a plurality of wireless networknodes. The plurality of wireless network nodes might comprise aplurality of wireless access points (which might correspond to wirelessaccess points 150 of FIGS. 1 and 2, or the like) and a plurality ofwireless endpoint devices (which might correspond to wireless endpointdevices 140 a-140 n or user devices 145 a-145 n, or wireless networknodes 135 of FIG. 1 or wireless network nodes 135 of FIG. 2, or thelike), the plurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at theplurality of service areas.

The computing system 405 might analyze the received informationregarding the one or more first operational states of each of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the received informationregarding the one or more second operational states of each of theplurality of wireless network nodes. The computing system 405 mightdetermine an optimal network pathway from the service provider facilityto one or more wireless endpoint devices, through a determined firstcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based at least in parton the analysis of the received information regarding the one or morefirst operational states and the received information regarding the oneor more second operational states. The determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes might comprise one or more fixedbroadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes and one or more wireless network nodes of the plurality ofwireless network nodes. The computing system 405 might establish thedetermined optimal network pathway (which is depicted in FIG. 4B as adashed line 475 compared with the prior network pathway depicted by asolid line 470) from the service provider facility to the one or morewireless endpoint devices, through the determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes.

With specific reference to FIG. 4B, a prior network path 470 (depictedas a solid line in FIG. 4B) might be established between computingsystem 405 and wireless network node E 450 e, via fixed network node A430 a and wireless network node D 450 d. The network path 470 may beunidirectional from computing system 405 to wireless network node E 450e, unidirectional from wireless network node E 450 e to computing system405, or bidirectional between computing system 405 and wireless networknode E 450 e. Based on analysis of the one or more monitored firstoperational states of each of the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes and the one or more monitored second operational states of each ofthe plurality of wireless network nodes, the computing system 405 mightdetermine an optimal network pathway and might establish the optimalnetwork pathway (depicted as a dashed line in FIG. 4B) between thecomputing system 405 and the wireless network node E 450 e Like networkpath 470, the network path 475 may be unidirectional from computingsystem 405 to wireless network node E 450 e, unidirectional fromwireless network node E 450 e to computing system 405, or bidirectionalbetween computing system 405 and wireless network node E 450 e.

The process of determining and establishing the optimal network path 470is described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 5A-5F.

The computing system 405, the fixed network node A-C 430 a-430 c, andthe wireless network node D-G 450 d-450 g of system 400 or 400′ in FIGS.4A and 4B are otherwise similar, if not identical, to the computingsystems 105 a, 105 b, 105, and 305 of FIGS. 1-3, the fixed (broadband)network nodes 130 a-130 n, 130, 330, 335, and 360 of FIGS. 1-3, and thewireless network nodes 135, 140 a-140 n, 145 a-145 n, 150, 340 a-340 n,345 a-345 n, 350 a-350 n, and 355 of FIGS. 1-3, and the descriptions ofthese components of system 100, 200, or 300 are applicable to thecorresponding components of system 400 or 400′, respectively.

FIGS. 5A-5F (collectively, “FIG. 5”) are flow diagrams illustrating amethod 500 for implementing combined broadband and wireless SON, inaccordance with various embodiments.

While the techniques and procedures are depicted and/or described in acertain order for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciatedthat certain procedures may be reordered and/or omitted within the scopeof various embodiments. Moreover, while the method 500 illustrated byFIG. 5 can be implemented by or with (and, in some cases, are describedbelow with respect to) the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400 of FIGS. 1, 2,3, and 4, respectively (or components thereof), such methods may also beimplemented using any suitable hardware (or software) implementation.Similarly, while each of the systems 100, 200, 300, and 400 of FIGS. 1,2, 3, and 4, respectively (or components thereof), can operate accordingto the method 500 illustrated by FIG. 5 (e.g., by executing instructionsembodied on a computer readable medium), the systems 100, 200, 300, and400 of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 can each also operate according to othermodes of operation and/or perform other suitable procedures.

In the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 5A, method 500 might comprisemonitoring, with one or more first sensors, one or more firstoperational states of each of a plurality of fixed broadband networknodes between a service provider facility and a plurality of networkinterface devices located at a plurality of service areas (block 505)and monitoring, with one or more second sensors, one or more secondoperational states of each of a plurality of wireless network nodes(block 510). The plurality of wireless network nodes might comprise aplurality of wireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpointdevices, the plurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at theplurality of service areas.

In some cases, monitoring the one or more first operational states mightcomprise obtaining information comprising at least one of availablebandwidth, number of operational splitters, location information, typeof fixed broadband network, loop qualification information, loop length,port speed audit information, train rate information, digital subscriberline (“DSL”) vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates,current synchronization rates, tone utilization information, line codeviolation information, or upstream and downstream forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) information, and/or the like. In some embodiments,monitoring the one or more second operational states comprises obtaininginformation comprising at least one of power levels, channel width,channel number, frequency of use of each channel, antenna elements(e.g., for beam forming or the like), modulation coding schemeinformation, signal preconditioning, or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular orextended), wherein the modulation coding scheme information comprises atleast one of modulation level, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, ormultiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes might be associated with fixed broadband services comprising atleast one of a passive optical network (“PON”) service, a gigabit PON(“GPON”) service, an Ethernet fiber line service, an Ethernet PON(“EPON”) service, a next generation PON (“NGPON”) service, a secondgeneration NGPON or 40 Gigabit-capable PON (“NGPON2”) service, a digitalsubscriber line (“DSL”) service, an asymmetric DSL (“ADSL”) service, asymmetric DSL (“SDSL”) service, a high speed voice and data linkservice, a rate-adaptive DSL (“RADSL”) service, a very high bit rate DSL(“VDSL,” “VDSL2,” or “VDSL2-Vplus”), a uni-DSL (“UDSL”) service, afrequency division vectoring service, a microwave radio service, amillimeter-wave radio service, a free-space optical service, a data overcable service interface specification (“DOCSIS”)-based cable service, ora fixed backhaul wireless service, and/or the like. In some cases, thefixed backhaul wireless service might include, but is not limited to,point-to-point or point-to-multipoint microwave or millimeter-wavelines. These fixed backhaul wireless links, in some instances, mightinclude their own subset of self-organizing rules to optimize backhaulservices. In some embodiments, the plurality of wireless network nodesmight be associated with wireless communications comprising at least oneof machine-to-machine Internet of Things (“IoT”) communications,Bluetooth communications, Z-wave communications, ZigBee communications,WiFi communications, cellular network communications, and/or the like.

Method 500 might further comprise, at block 515, analyzing, with acomputing system, the monitored one or more first operational states ofeach of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the monitoredone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes. According to some embodiments, the computingsystem might comprise one of a server computer located at the serviceprovider facility, a distributed computing system, at least one of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes, or at least one of theplurality of wireless network nodes, and/or the like. In some cases, atleast one fixed broadband network node of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes might comprise at least one first sensor of theone or more first sensors. The at least one first sensor might monitorthe one or more first operational states of each of one or more adjacentfixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes. In embodiments where fixed broadband network nodes arelinked by fixed wireless links, such links may be affected by weatherimpediments such as rain fades or the like. A combination of the use ofrain sensors and attenuation measurements might be used to monitoroperational states, and the computing system 105 might, based on themonitoring of operational states, optionally change paths within thefixed broadband network nodes and/or the fixed wireless network nodes,or the like. In embodiments where the fixed broadband network nodes arelinked by a mix of fixed wireless links and wired links, monitoringweather impediments and rain fades might result in prioritizing linkstowards wired links during weather-affected time periods. At least onewireless network node of the plurality of wireless network nodes, insome cases, might comprise at least one second sensor of the one or moresecond sensors. The at least one second sensor might monitor the one ormore second operational states of each of one or more adjacent wirelessnetwork nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes.

At block 520, method 500 might comprise determining, with the computingsystem, an optimal network pathway from the service provider facility toone or more wireless endpoint devices, through a determined firstcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based at least in parton the analysis of the monitored one or more first operational statesand the monitored one or more second operational states. The determinedfirst combination of fixed and wireless network nodes might comprise oneor more fixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes and one or more wireless network nodes of theplurality of wireless network nodes. Merely by way of example, in somecases, determining the optimal network pathway might comprisedetermining, with the computing system, the optimal network pathway tooptimize at least one of coverage, capacity, latency, load balancing,privilege of a given area, mobility robustness, or key performancecharacteristics of the combination of fixed and wireless network nodes,and/or the like.

Method 500 might further comprise, at block 525, establishing, with thecomputing system, the determined optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices,through the determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes. In some embodiments, multiple network services may be offeredover the network, in which case each set of services may use a differentdetermination method and/or parameters to determine the optimal networkpathway(s). In other words, determining and establishing the optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to the one or morewireless endpoint devices, through the determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes are performed differently for differenttypes of network services provided. For instance, video deliveryservices may optimize network pathways to minimize bit error rate, whileother services such as voice services may optimize network pathways tominimize latency, and best effort data services offered at the same timeover the same network might optimize network pathways in terms ofmaximizing throughput or other key parameters, including, withoutlimitation, redundancy considerations, traffic statistics, peakbitrates, guaranteed bitrates, average bitrates, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, method 500 might further compriserepeating the processes of: monitoring the one or more first operationalstates of each of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes (atblock 505); monitoring the one or more second operational states of eachof the plurality of wireless network nodes (at block 510); and analyzingthe monitored one or more first operations states of each of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the monitored one or moresecond operational states of each of the plurality of wireless networknodes (at block 515). Method 500 might further comprise determining,with the computing system, a second optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to one or more wireless endpoint devices,through a determined third combination of fixed and wireless networknodes, based on the repeated analysis of the monitored one or more firstoperational states and the monitored one or more second operationalstates. Method 500 might also comprise determining, with the computingsystem, whether the optimal network pathway and the second optimalnetwork pathway are different, and, based on a determination that theoptimal network pathway and the second optimal network pathway aredifferent, establishing, with the computing system, the determinedsecond optimal network pathway from the service provider facility to theone or more wireless endpoint devices, through the determined thirdcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes.

According to various embodiments, determining the optimal networkpathway might comprise determining, with the computing system, one ormore parameters to adjust in each of one or more of at least one fixedbroadband network node of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodeor at least one wireless network node of the plurality of wirelessnetwork node to optimize at least one of coverage, capacity, latency,load balancing, privilege of a given area, mobility robustness, or keyperformance characteristics of the combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes. Establishing the determined optimal network pathway mightthus comprise adjusting, with the computing system, the determined oneor more parameters in each of one or more of the at least one fixedbroadband network node or the at least one wireless network node. Merelyby way of example, in some cases, the one or more parameters mightinclude, without limitation, at least one of bandwidth, train rate, tonebeing used, power levels, channel width, channel number, frequency ofuse, antenna element parameters (e.g., for beam forming or the like),modulation coding scheme, signal preconditioning parameters, or cyclicprefix (i.e., regular or extended), and/or the like. The modulationcoding scheme might include, but is not limited to, at least one ofmodulation level, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, ormultiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like. In otherwords, determining and establishing the optimal network pathway mighteither involve re-routing the network path through the combination offixed and wireless network nodes and/or adjusting one or more parametersof the (existing or re-routed) fixed and/or wireless network nodes, orthe like.

With reference to FIG. 5B, method 500 might comprise monitoring, withone or more first sensors, one or more first operational states of eachof a plurality of fixed broadband network nodes between a serviceprovider facility and a plurality of network interface devices locatedat a plurality of service areas (block 505) and monitoring, with one ormore second sensors, one or more second operational states of each of aplurality of wireless network nodes (block 510). The plurality ofwireless network nodes might comprise a plurality of wireless accesspoints and a plurality of wireless endpoint devices, the plurality ofwireless endpoint devices being located at the plurality of serviceareas.

In some cases, monitoring the one or more first operational states mightcomprise obtaining information comprising at least one of availablebandwidth, number of operational splitters, location information, typeof fixed broadband network, loop qualification information, loop length,port speed audit information, train rate information, digital subscriberline (“DSL”) vectoring rate information, maximum available bit rates,current synchronization rates, tone utilization information, line codeviolation information, or upstream and downstream forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) information, and/or the like. In some embodiments,monitoring the one or more second operational states comprises obtaininginformation comprising at least one of power levels, channel width,channel number, frequency of use of each channel, antenna elements(e.g., for beam forming or the like), modulation coding schemeinformation, signal preconditioning, or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular orextended), wherein the modulation coding scheme information comprises atleast one of modulation level, forward error correction (“FEC”) type, ormultiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”) rank, and/or the like.

According to some embodiments, the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes might be associated with fixed broadband services comprising atleast one of a passive optical network (“PON”) service, a gigabit PON(“GPON”) service, an Ethernet fiber line service, an Ethernet PON(“EPON”) service, a next generation PON (“NGPON”) service, a secondgeneration NGPON or 40 Gigabit-capable PON (“NGPON2”) service, a digitalsubscriber line (“DSL”) service, an asymmetric DSL (“ADSL”) service, asymmetric DSL (“SDSL”) service, a high speed voice and data linkservice, a rate-adaptive DSL (“RADSL”) service, a very high bit rate DSL(“VDSL,” “VDSL2,” or “VDSL2-Vplus”), a uni-DSL (“UDSL”) service, afrequency division vectoring service, a microwave radio service, amillimeter-wave radio service, a free-space optical service, a data overcable service interface specification (“DOCSIS”)-based cable service, ora fixed backhaul wireless service, and/or the like. In some cases, thefixed backhaul wireless service might include, but is not limited to,point-to-point or point-to-multipoint microwave or millimeter-wavelines. These fixed backhaul wireless links, in some instances, mightinclude their own subset of self-organizing rules to optimize backhaulservices. In some embodiments, the plurality of wireless network nodesmight be associated with wireless communications comprising at least oneof machine-to-machine Internet of Things (“IoT”) communications,Bluetooth communications, Z-wave communications, ZigBee communications,WiFi communications, cellular network communications, and/or the like.

Method 500 might further comprise, at block 515, analyzing, with acomputing system, the monitored one or more first operational states ofeach of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the monitoredone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes. According to some embodiments, the computingsystem might comprise one of a server computer located at the serviceprovider facility, a distributed computing system, at least one of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes, or at least one of theplurality of wireless network nodes, and/or the like. In some cases, atleast one fixed broadband network node of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes might comprise at least one first sensor of theone or more first sensors. The at least one first sensor might monitorthe one or more first operational states of each of one or more adjacentfixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes. At least one wireless network node of the plurality ofwireless network nodes, in some cases, might comprise at least onesecond sensor of the one or more second sensors. The at least one secondsensor might monitor the one or more second operational states of eachof one or more adjacent wireless network nodes of the plurality ofwireless network nodes.

At block 530, method 500 might comprise determining, with the computingsystem, one or more optimal network backhaul pathways to the serviceprovider facility, through a determined second combination of fixed andwireless network nodes, based on the analysis of the monitored one ormore first operational states and the monitored one or more secondoperational states. The determined second combination of fixed andwireless network nodes might comprise at least one fixed broadbandnetwork node of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and atleast one wireless network node of the plurality of wireless networknodes.

Method 500 might further comprise, at block 535, establishing, with thecomputing system, the determined one or more optimal network backhaulpathways (e.g., from the at least one wireless endpoint device or otherwireless network nodes) to the service provider facility, through thedetermined second combination of fixed and wireless network nodes.

According to some embodiments, method 500 might further compriserepeating the processes of: monitoring the one or more first operationalstates of each of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes (atblock 505); monitoring the one or more second operational states of eachof the plurality of wireless network nodes (at block 510); and analyzingthe monitored one or more first operations states of each of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the monitored one or moresecond operational states of each of the plurality of wireless networknodes (at block 515). Method 500 might further comprise determining,with the computing system, a second optimal network backhaul pathway tothe service provider facility, through a determined fourth combinationof fixed and wireless network nodes, based on the repeated analysis ofthe monitored one or more first operational states and the monitored oneor more second operational states. Method 500 might also comprisedetermining, with the computing system, whether the optimal networkbackhaul pathway and the second optimal network backhaul pathway aredifferent, and, based on a determination that the optimal networkbackhaul pathway and the second optimal network backhaul pathway aredifferent, establishing, with the computing system, the determinedsecond optimal network backhaul pathway to the service providerfacility, through the determined fourth combination of fixed andwireless network nodes.

According to various embodiments, determining the optimal networkbackhaul pathway might comprise determining, with the computing system,one or more parameters to adjust in each of one or more of at least onefixed broadband network node of the plurality of fixed broadband networknode or at least one wireless network node of the plurality of wirelessnetwork node to optimize backhaul service. Establishing the determinedoptimal network backhaul pathway might thus comprise adjusting, with thecomputing system, the determined one or more parameters in each of oneor more of the at least one fixed broadband network node or the at leastone wireless network node. Merely by way of example, in some cases, theone or more parameters might include, without limitation, at least oneof bandwidth, train rate, tone being used, power levels, channel width,channel number, frequency of use, antenna element parameters (e.g., forbeam forming or the like), modulation coding scheme, signalpreconditioning parameters, or cyclic prefix (i.e., regular orextended), and/or the like. The modulation coding scheme might include,but is not limited to, at least one of modulation level, forward errorcorrection (“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output (“MIMO”)rank, and/or the like. In other words, determining and establishing theoptimal network backhaul pathway might either involve re-routing thenetwork backhaul path through the combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes and/or adjusting one or more parameters of the (existingor re-routed) fixed and/or wireless network nodes, or the like.

Turning to FIG. 5C, merely by way of example, in some embodiments,establishing the determined optimal network pathway from the serviceprovider facility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices, throughthe determined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes (atblock 525), might comprise sending, with the computing system,instructions to one or more intermediary network switches to directbroadband traffic along the determined optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to the one or more wireless endpoint devicesto provide broadband service to the one or more wireless endpointdevices (block 540).

Referring to FIG. 5D, according to some embodiments, establishing thedetermined one or more optimal network backhaul pathways (from the atleast one wireless endpoint device or other wireless network nodes) tothe service provider facility (at block 535) might comprise sending,with the computing system, instructions to intermediary network switchesto direct backhaul traffic along the determined one or more optimalnetwork backhaul pathways from the at least one wireless endpoint deviceto the service provider facility to provide backhaul service (block545).

With respect to FIG. 5E, in some cases, according to some embodiments,the monitored one or more first operational states and the monitored oneor more second operational states might each comprise bandwidth usageand bandwidth capacity, and determining the one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways (at block 530) might comprise determining, with thecomputing system, the one or more optimal network backhaul pathwaysbased on available bandwidth exceeding subscribed-to bandwidth for eachof a plurality of customers (block 550).

With reference to FIG. 5F, in some embodiments, determining the optimalnetwork pathway (at block 520) and determining the one or more optimalnetwork backhaul pathways (at block 530) are initiated in response toeach of one or more trigger events (block 555). Merely by way ofexample, according to some embodiments, the one or more trigger eventsmight each comprise one of a sudden statistically significant change innetwork performance characteristics, a change in network performancecharacteristics that exceed predetermined threshold levels, a seasonalchange in wireless propagation characteristics, a weather-related changein wireless propagation characteristics, a network service fault at oneor more fixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes, a network service fault at one or more wirelessnetwork nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes, a completedsales transaction with a customer for provisioning of network servicesto the customer, or a change in network usage that exceeds specifiedlevels, and/or the like.

Exemplary System and Hardware Implementation

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer or systemhardware architecture, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6provides a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a computer system600 of the service provider system hardware that can perform the methodsprovided by various other embodiments, as described herein, and/or canperform the functions of computer or hardware system (i.e., computingsystems 105 a, 105 b, 105, 305, and 405, fixed (broadband) network nodes130 a-130 n, 130, 330, 335, 360, and 430 a-430 c, wireless network nodes135, 140 a-140 n, 145 a-145 n, 150, 340 a-340 n, 345 a-345 n, 350 a-350n, 355, and 450 d-450 g, servers 305-325 and 360, etc.), as describedabove. It should be noted that FIG. 6 is meant only to provide ageneralized illustration of various components, of which one or more (ornone) of each may be utilized as appropriate. FIG. 6, therefore, broadlyillustrates how individual system elements may be implemented in arelatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

The computer or hardware system 600—which might represent an embodimentof the computer or hardware system (i.e., computing systems 105 a, 105b, 105, 305, and 405, fixed (broadband) network nodes 130 a-130 n, 130,330, 335, 360, and 430 a-430 c, wireless network nodes 135, 140 a-140 n,145 a-145 n, 150, 340 a-340 n, 345 a-345 n, 350 a-350 n, 355, and 450d-450 g, servers 305-325 and 360, etc), described above with respect toFIGS. 1-5—is shown comprising hardware elements that can be electricallycoupled via a bus 605 (or may otherwise be in communication, asappropriate). The hardware elements may include one or more processors610, including, without limitation, one or more general-purposeprocessors and/or one or more special-purpose processors (such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, and/or the like); one or more input devices 615, which caninclude, without limitation, a mouse, a keyboard, sensors, and/or thelike; and one or more output devices 620, which can include, withoutlimitation, a display device, a printer, indicator lights, and/or thelike.

The computer or hardware system 600 may further include (and/or be incommunication with) one or more storage devices 625, which can comprise,without limitation, local and/or network accessible storage, and/or caninclude, without limitation, a disk drive, a drive array, an opticalstorage device, solid-state storage device such as a random accessmemory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable, and/or the like. Such storage devicesmay be configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including,without limitation, various file systems, database structures, and/orthe like.

The computer or hardware system 600 might also include a communicationssubsystem 630, which can include, without limitation, a modem, a networkcard (wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, a wirelesscommunication device and/or chipset (such as a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellularcommunication facilities, etc.), and/or the like. The communicationssubsystem 630 may permit data to be exchanged with a network (such asthe network described below, to name one example), with other computeror hardware systems, and/or with any other devices described herein. Inmany embodiments, the computer or hardware system 600 will furthercomprise a working memory 635, which can include a RAM or ROM device, asdescribed above.

The computer or hardware system 600 also may comprise software elements,shown as being currently located within the working memory 635,including an operating system 640, device drivers, executable libraries,and/or other code, such as one or more application programs 645, whichmay comprise computer programs provided by various embodiments(including, without limitation, hypervisors, VMs, and the like), and/ormay be designed to implement methods, and/or configure systems, providedby other embodiments, as described herein. Merely by way of example, oneor more procedures described with respect to the method(s) discussedabove might be implemented as code and/or instructions executable by acomputer (and/or a processor within a computer); in an aspect, then,such code and/or instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt ageneral purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods.

A set of these instructions and/or code might be encoded and/or storedon a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as thestorage device(s) 625 described above. In some cases, the storage mediummight be incorporated within a computer system, such as the system 600.In other embodiments, the storage medium might be separate from acomputer system (i.e., a removable medium, such as a compact disc,etc.), and/or provided in an installation package, such that the storagemedium can be used to program, configure, and/or adapt a general purposecomputer with the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructionsmight take the form of executable code, which is executable by thecomputer or hardware system 600 and/or might take the form of sourceand/or installable code, which, upon compilation and/or installation onthe computer or hardware system 600 (e.g., using any of a variety ofgenerally available compilers, installation programs,compression/decompression utilities, etc.) then takes the form ofexecutable code.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware (such as programmable logic controllers,field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integratedcircuits, and/or the like) might also be used, and/or particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, apps, etc.), or both. Further, connection toother computing devices such as network input/output devices may beemployed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer or hardware system (such as the computer or hardware system600) to perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of theprocedures of such methods are performed by the computer or hardwaresystem 600 in response to processor 610 executing one or more sequencesof one or more instructions (which might be incorporated into theoperating system 640 and/or other code, such as an application program645) contained in the working memory 635. Such instructions may be readinto the working memory 635 from another computer readable medium, suchas one or more of the storage device(s) 625. Merely by way of example,execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the workingmemory 635 might cause the processor(s) 610 to perform one or moreprocedures of the methods described herein.

The terms “machine readable medium” and “computer readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer or hardware system 600, various computerreadable media might be involved in providing instructions/code toprocessor(s) 610 for execution and/or might be used to store and/orcarry such instructions/code (e.g., as signals). In manyimplementations, a computer readable medium is a non-transitory,physical, and/or tangible storage medium. In some embodiments, acomputer readable medium may take many forms, including, but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, or the like. Non-volatile mediaincludes, for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as thestorage device(s) 625. Volatile media includes, without limitation,dynamic memory, such as the working memory 635. In some alternativeembodiments, a computer readable medium may take the form oftransmission media, which includes, without limitation, coaxial cables,copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus605, as well as the various components of the communication subsystem630 (and/or the media by which the communications subsystem 630 providescommunication with other devices). In an alternative set of embodiments,transmission media can also take the form of waves (including, withoutlimitation, radio, acoustic, and/or light waves, such as those generatedduring radio-wave and infra-red data communications).

Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer readable mediainclude, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk,magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other opticalmedium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can readinstructions and/or code.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor(s) 610for execution. Merely by way of example, the instructions may initiallybe carried on a magnetic disk and/or optical disc of a remote computer.A remote computer might load the instructions into its dynamic memoryand send the instructions as signals over a transmission medium to bereceived and/or executed by the computer or hardware system 600. Thesesignals, which might be in the form of electromagnetic signals, acousticsignals, optical signals, and/or the like, are all examples of carrierwaves on which instructions can be encoded, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention.

The communications subsystem 630 (and/or components thereof) generallywill receive the signals, and the bus 605 then might carry the signals(and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the signals) to theworking memory 635, from which the processor(s) 605 retrieves andexecutes the instructions. The instructions received by the workingmemory 635 may optionally be stored on a storage device 625 eitherbefore or after execution by the processor(s) 610.

As noted above, a set of embodiments comprises methods and systems forimplementing network infrastructure for provisioning of services, and,in particular embodiments, to methods, systems, apparatus, and computersoftware for implementing combined broadband and wirelessself-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services. FIG. 7illustrates a schematic diagram of a system 700 that can be used inaccordance with one set of embodiments. The system 700 can include oneor more user computers, user devices, or customer devices 705. A usercomputer, user device, or customer device 705 can be a general purposepersonal computer (including, merely by way of example, desktopcomputers, tablet computers, laptop computers, handheld computers, andthe like, running any appropriate operating system, several of which areavailable from vendors such as Apple, Microsoft Corp., and the like),cloud computing devices, a server(s), and/or a workstation computer(s)running any of a variety of commercially-available UNIX™ or UNIX-likeoperating systems. A user computer, user device, or customer device 705can also have any of a variety of applications, including one or moreapplications configured to perform methods provided by variousembodiments (as described above, for example), as well as one or moreoffice applications, database client and/or server applications, and/orweb browser applications. Alternatively, a user computer, user device,or customer device 705 can be any other electronic device, such as athin-client computer, Internet-enabled mobile telephone, smart phone,and/or personal digital assistant, capable of communicating via anetwork (e.g., the network(s) 710 described below) and/or of displayingand navigating web pages or other types of electronic documents.Although the exemplary system 700 is shown with two user computers, userdevices, or customer devices 705, any number of user computers, userdevices, or customer devices can be supported.

Certain embodiments operate in a networked environment, which caninclude a network(s) 710. The network(s) 710 can be any type of networkfamiliar to those skilled in the art that can support datacommunications using any of a variety of commercially-available (and/orfree or proprietary) protocols, including, without limitation, TCP/IP,SNA™, IPX™, AppleTalk™, and the like. Merely by way of example, thenetwork(s) 710 (similar to networks 120 and 125 of FIG. 1 or network 120of FIG. 2, or the like) can each include a local area network (“LAN”),including, without limitation, a fiber network, an Ethernet network, aToken-Ring™ network, and/or the like; a wide-area network (“WAN”); awireless wide area network (“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as avirtual private network (“VPN”); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet;a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; awireless network, including, without limitation, a cellular network, anLTE network, a network operating under any of the IEEE 802.11 suite ofprotocols, the 802.16 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol knownin the art, the Z-Wave protocol known in the art, the ZigBee protocol orother IEEE 802.15.4 suite of protocols known in the art, and/or anyother wireless protocol; and/or any combination of these and/or othernetworks. In a particular embodiment, the network might include anaccess network of the service provider (e.g., an Internet serviceprovider (“ISP”)). In another embodiment, the network might include acore network of the service provider, and/or the Internet.

Embodiments can also include one or more server computers 715. Each ofthe server computers 715 may be configured with an operating system,including, without limitation, any of those discussed above, as well asany commercially (or freely) available server operating systems. Each ofthe servers 715 may also be running one or more applications, which canbe configured to provide services to one or more clients 705 and/orother servers 715.

Merely by way of example, one of the servers 715 might be a data server,a web server, a cloud computing device(s), or the like, as describedabove. The data server might include (or be in communication with) a webserver, which can be used, merely by way of example, to process requestsfor web pages or other electronic documents from user computers 705. Theweb server can also run a variety of server applications, including HTTPservers, FTP servers, CGI servers, database servers, Java servers, andthe like. In some embodiments of the invention, the web server may beconfigured to serve web pages that can be operated within a web browseron one or more of the user computers 705 to perform methods of theinvention.

The server computers 715, in some embodiments, might include one or moreapplication servers, which can be configured with one or moreapplications accessible by a client running on one or more of the clientcomputers 705 and/or other servers 715. Merely by way of example, theserver(s) 715 can be one or more general purpose computers capable ofexecuting programs or scripts in response to the user computers 705and/or other servers 715, including, without limitation, webapplications (which might, in some cases, be configured to performmethods provided by various embodiments). Merely by way of example, aweb application can be implemented as one or more scripts or programswritten in any suitable programming language, such as Java™, C, C#™ orC++, and/or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, aswell as combinations of any programming and/or scripting languages. Theapplication server(s) can also include database servers, including,without limitation, those commercially available from Oracle™,Microsoft™, Sybase™, IBM™, and the like, which can process requests fromclients (including, depending on the configuration, dedicated databaseclients, API clients, web browsers, etc.) running on a user computer,user device, or customer device 705 and/or another server 715. In someembodiments, an application server can perform one or more of theprocesses for implementing network infrastructure for provisioning ofservices, and, in particular embodiments, to methods, systems,apparatus, and computer software for implementing combined broadband andwireless self-organizing network (“SON”) for provisioning of services,or the like, as described in detail above. Data provided by anapplication server may be formatted as one or more web pages (comprisingHTML, JavaScript, etc., for example) and/or may be forwarded to a usercomputer 705 via a web server (as described above, for example).Similarly, a web server might receive web page requests and/or inputdata from a user computer 705 and/or forward the web page requestsand/or input data to an application server. In some cases, a web servermay be integrated with an application server.

In accordance with further embodiments, one or more servers 715 canfunction as a file server and/or can include one or more of the files(e.g., application code, data files, etc.) necessary to implementvarious disclosed methods, incorporated by an application running on auser computer 705 and/or another server 715. Alternatively, as thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, a file server can include allnecessary files, allowing such an application to be invoked remotely bya user computer, user device, or customer device 705 and/or server 715.

It should be noted that the functions described with respect to variousservers herein (e.g., application server, database server, web server,file server, etc.) can be performed by a single server and/or aplurality of specialized servers, depending on implementation-specificneeds and parameters.

In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more databases 720a-720 n (collectively, “databases 720”). The location of each of thedatabases 720 is discretionary: merely by way of example, a database 720a might reside on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) aserver 715 a (and/or a user computer, user device, or customer device705). Alternatively, a database 720 n can be remote from any or all ofthe computers 705, 715, so long as it can be in communication (e.g., viathe network 710) with one or more of these. In a particular set ofembodiments, a database 720 can reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”)familiar to those skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessary files forperforming the functions attributed to the computers 705, 715 can bestored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, asappropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 720 can be arelational database, such as an Oracle database, that is adapted tostore, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted commands.The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a database server,as described above, for example.

According to some embodiments, system 700 might further comprise acomputing system 725 (which might correspond to computing systems 105 a,105 b, 105, 305, and 405 of FIGS. 1-4, or the like) and correspondingdatabase(s) 730 (which might correspond to databases 110 a, 110 b, and110 of FIGS. 1 and 2, or the like). System 700 might further compriseone or more fixed (broadband) network nodes 735 a-735 n (collectively,“fixed network nodes 735”) and one or more wireless network nodes 740a-740 n (collectively, “wireless network nodes 740”). The fixed networknodes 735 and the wireless network nodes 740 (which, in some cases,might include one or more of the user devices 705 a and/or 705 b, or thelike) might be implemented as a combined fixed broadband and wirelessself-organizing network (“SON”) 745, as described herein.

In operation, the computing system 725 (which might be embodied as oneor more of servers 715 a or 715 b, or as one or more of the fixednetwork nodes 735, or as one or more of the wireless network nodes 740,or as a separate component as shown in FIG. 7, or the like) mightreceive, from one or more first sensors, information regarding one ormore first operational states of each of a plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes between a service provider facility and a plurality ofnetwork interface devices located at a plurality of service areas;receive, from one or more second sensors, information regarding one ormore second operational states of each of a plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes, the plurality of wireless network nodes comprising aplurality of wireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpointdevices, the plurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at theplurality of service areas; and analyze the received informationregarding the one or more first operational states of each of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the received informationregarding the one or more second operational states of each of theplurality of wireless network nodes. The computing system 725 mightdetermine an optimal network pathway from the service provider facilityto one or more wireless endpoint devices, through a determined firstcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based at least in parton the analysis of the received information regarding the one or morefirst operational states and the received information regarding the oneor more second operational states, the determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes comprising one or more fixed broadbandnetwork nodes of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and oneor more wireless network nodes of the plurality of wireless networknodes; and might establish the determined optimal network pathway fromthe service provider facility to the one or more wireless endpointdevices, through the determined first combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes.

These and other functions of the system 700 (and its components) aredescribed in greater detail above with respect to FIGS. 1-5.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: monitoring, with one ormore first sensors, one or more first operational states of each of aplurality of fixed broadband network nodes between a service providerfacility and a plurality of network interface devices located at aplurality of service areas; monitoring, with one or more second sensors,one or more second operational states of each of a plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes, the plurality of wireless network nodes comprising aplurality of wireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpointdevices, the plurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at theplurality of service areas; analyzing, with a computing system, themonitored one or more first operational states of each of the pluralityof fixed broadband network nodes and the monitored one or more secondoperational states of each of the plurality of wireless network nodes;determining, with the computing system, an optimal network pathway fromthe service provider facility to one or more wireless endpoint devices,through a determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes, based at least in part on the analysis of the monitored one ormore first operational states and the monitored one or more secondoperational states, the determined first combination of fixed andwireless network nodes comprising one or more fixed broadband networknodes of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and one or morewireless network nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes; andestablishing, with the computing system, the determined optimal networkpathway from the service provider facility to the one or more wirelessendpoint devices, through the determined first combination of fixed andwireless network nodes.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishingthe determined optimal network pathway from the service providerfacility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices, through thedetermined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes,comprises sending, with the computing system, instructions to one ormore intermediary network switches to direct broadband traffic along thedetermined optimal network pathway from the service provider facility tothe one or more wireless endpoint devices to provide broadband serviceto the one or more wireless endpoint devices.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein determining and establishing the optimal network pathway fromthe service provider facility to the one or more wireless endpointdevices, through the determined first combination of fixed and wirelessnetwork nodes are performed differently for different types of networkservices provided.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, with the computing system, one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways to the service provider facility, through a determinedsecond combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, based on theanalysis of the monitored one or more first operational states and themonitored one or more second operational states, the determined secondcombination of fixed and wireless network nodes comprising at least onefixed broadband network node of the plurality of fixed broadband networknodes and at least one wireless network node of the plurality ofwireless network nodes; and establishing, with the computing system, thedetermined one or more optimal network backhaul pathways from the atleast one wireless endpoint device to the service provider facility,through the determined second combination of fixed and wireless networknodes.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitored one or more firstoperational states and the monitored one or more second operationalstates each comprises bandwidth usage and bandwidth capacity, whereindetermining the one or more optimal network backhaul pathways comprisesdetermining, with the computing system, the one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways based on available bandwidth exceeding subscribed-tobandwidth for each of a plurality of customers.
 6. The method of claim4, wherein establishing the determined one or more optimal networkbackhaul pathways from the at least one wireless endpoint device to theservice provider facility comprises sending, with the computing system,instructions to intermediary network switches to direct backhaul trafficalong the determined one or more optimal network backhaul pathways fromthe at least one wireless endpoint device to the service providerfacility to provide backhaul service.
 7. The method of claim 4, whereindetermining the optimal network pathway and determining the one or moreoptimal network backhaul pathways are initiated in response to each ofone or more trigger events.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the one ormore trigger events each comprises one of a sudden statisticallysignificant change in network performance characteristics, a change innetwork performance characteristics that exceed predetermined thresholdlevels, a seasonal change in wireless propagation characteristics, aweather-related change in wireless propagation characteristics, anetwork service fault at one or more fixed broadband network nodes ofthe plurality of fixed broadband network nodes, a network service faultat one or more wireless network nodes of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes, a completed sales transaction with a customer forprovisioning of network services to the customer, or a change in networkusage that exceeds specified levels.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of fixed broadband network nodes are associated with fixedbroadband services comprising at least one of a passive optical network(“PON”) service, a gigabit PON (“GPON”) service, an Ethernet fiber lineservice, an Ethernet PON (“EPON”) service, a next generation PON(“NGPON”) service, a second generation NGPON or 40 Gigabit-capable PON(“NGPON2”) service, a digital subscriber line (“DSL”) service, anasymmetric DSL (“ADSL”) service, a symmetric DSL (“SDSL”) service, ahigh speed voice and data link service, a rate-adaptive DSL (“RADSL”)service, a very high bit rate DSL (“VDSL,” “VDSL2,” or “VDSL2-Vplus”), auni-DSL (“UDSL”) service, a frequency division vectoring service, amicrowave radio service, a millimeter-wave radio service, a free-spaceoptical service, a data over cable service interface specification(“DOCSIS”)-based cable service, or a fixed backhaul wireless service.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless networknodes are associated with wireless communications comprising at leastone of machine-to-machine Internet of Things (“IoT”) communications,Bluetooth communications, Z-wave communications, ZigBee communications,WiFi communications, or cellular network communications.
 11. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: repeating the processes of: monitoringthe one or more first operational states of each of the plurality offixed broadband network nodes; monitoring the one or more secondoperational states of each of the plurality of wireless network nodes;and analyzing the monitored one or more first operations states of eachof the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and the monitored oneor more second operational states of each of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes; determining, with the computing system, a second optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to one or morewireless endpoint devices, through a determined third combination offixed and wireless network nodes, based on the repeated analysis of themonitored one or more first operational states and the monitored one ormore second operational states; determining, with the computing system,whether the optimal network pathway and the second optimal networkpathway are different; and based on a determination that the optimalnetwork pathway and the second optimal network pathway are different,establishing, with the computing system, the determined second optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to the one or morewireless endpoint devices, through the determined third combination offixed and wireless network nodes.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein atleast one fixed broadband network node of the plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes comprises at least one first sensor of the oneor more first sensors, wherein the at least one first sensor monitorsthe one or more first operational states of each of one or more adjacentfixed broadband network nodes of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes, wherein at least one wireless network node of theplurality of wireless network nodes comprises at least one second sensorof the one or more second sensors, wherein the at least one secondsensor monitors the one or more second operational states of each of oneor more adjacent wireless network nodes of the plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the one ormore first operational states comprises obtaining information comprisingat least one of available bandwidth, number of operational splitters,location information, type of fixed broadband network, loopqualification information, loop length, port speed audit information,train rate information, digital subscriber line (“DSL”) vectoring rateinformation, maximum available bit rates, current synchronization rates,tone utilization information, line code violation information, orupstream and downstream forward error correction (“FEC”) information.14. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the one or more secondoperational states comprises obtaining information comprising at leastone of power levels, channel width, channel number, frequency of use ofeach channel, antenna elements, modulation coding scheme information,signal preconditioning, or cyclic prefix, wherein the modulation codingscheme information comprises at least one of modulation level, forwarderror correction (“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output(“MIMO”) rank.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining theoptimal network pathway comprises determining, with the computingsystem, the optimal network pathway to optimize at least one ofcoverage, capacity, latency, load balancing, privilege of a given area,mobility robustness, or key performance characteristics of thecombination of fixed and wireless network nodes.
 16. The method of claim1, wherein determining the optimal network pathway comprisesdetermining, with the computing system, one or more parameters to adjustin each of one or more of at least one fixed broadband network node ofthe plurality of fixed broadband network node or at least one wirelessnetwork node of the plurality of wireless network node to optimize atleast one of coverage, capacity, latency, load balancing, privilege of agiven area, mobility robustness, or key performance characteristics ofthe combination of fixed and wireless network nodes, and whereinestablishing the determined optimal network pathway comprises adjusting,with the computing system, the determined one or more parameters in eachof one or more of the at least one fixed broadband network node or theat least one wireless network node.
 17. The method of claim 16, whereinthe one or more parameters comprise at least one of bandwidth, trainrate, tone being used, power levels, channel width, channel number,frequency of use, antenna element parameters, modulation coding scheme,signal preconditioning parameters, or cyclic prefix, wherein themodulation coding scheme includes at least one of modulation level,forward error correction (“FEC”) type, or multiple-input multiple-output(“MIMO”) rank.
 18. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; anda non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to theat least one processor, the non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving stored thereon computer software comprising a set of instructionsthat, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatusto: receive, from one or more first sensors, information regarding oneor more first operational states of each of a plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes between a service provider facility and aplurality of network interface devices located at a plurality of serviceareas; receive, from one or more second sensors, information regardingone or more second operational states of each of a plurality of wirelessnetwork nodes, the plurality of wireless network nodes comprising aplurality of wireless access points and a plurality of wireless endpointdevices, the plurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at theplurality of service areas; analyze the received information regardingthe one or more first operational states of each of the plurality offixed broadband network nodes and the received information regarding theone or more second operational states of each of the plurality ofwireless network nodes; determine an optimal network pathway from theservice provider facility to one or more wireless endpoint devices,through a determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes, based at least in part on the analysis of the receivedinformation regarding the one or more first operational states and thereceived information regarding the one or more second operationalstates, the determined first combination of fixed and wireless networknodes comprising one or more fixed broadband network nodes of theplurality of fixed broadband network nodes and one or more wirelessnetwork nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes; and establishthe determined optimal network pathway from the service providerfacility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices, through thedetermined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes. 19.The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises one of aserver computer located at the service provider facility, a distributedcomputing system, at least one of the plurality of fixed broadbandnetwork nodes, or at least one of the plurality of wireless networknodes.
 20. A system, comprising: one or more first sensors that monitorone or more first operational states of each of a plurality of fixedbroadband network nodes between a service provider facility and aplurality of network interface devices located at a plurality of serviceareas; one or more second sensors that monitor one or more secondoperational states of each of a plurality of wireless network nodes, theplurality of wireless network nodes comprising a plurality of wirelessaccess points and a plurality of wireless endpoint devices, theplurality of wireless endpoint devices being located at the plurality ofservice areas; and a computing system, comprising: at least oneprocessor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium communicativelycoupled to the at least one processor, the non-transitory computerreadable medium having stored thereon computer software comprising a setof instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor,causes the computing system to: receive, from the one or more firstsensors, information regarding one or more first operational states ofeach of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes between theservice provider facility and the plurality of network interface deviceslocated at the plurality of service areas; receive, from the one or moresecond sensors, information regarding one or more second operationalstates of each of the plurality of wireless network nodes; analyze thereceived information regarding the one or more first operational statesof each of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and thereceived information regarding the one or more second operational statesof each of the plurality of wireless network nodes; determine an optimalnetwork pathway from the service provider facility to one or morewireless endpoint devices, through a determined first combination offixed and wireless network nodes, based at least in part on the analysisof the received information regarding the one or more first operationalstates and the received information regarding the one or more secondoperational states, the determined first combination of fixed andwireless network nodes comprising one or more fixed broadband networknodes of the plurality of fixed broadband network nodes and one or morewireless network nodes of the plurality of wireless network nodes; andestablish the determined optimal network pathway from the serviceprovider facility to the one or more wireless endpoint devices, throughthe determined first combination of fixed and wireless network nodes.